Magnetic action for pipe organs



April 8, 1930. H. F. WATERS ET AL 1,753,323

MAGNETIC ACTION FOB. PIPE ORGANS Filed 001:. 1'7, 1928 mil EN 10R A. f. WA 751?: V. P. BRO/7w ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFEQEZI HARRY F. WATERS, OF ST. LOUIS, AND VERNIE ROY BROWN, OF UNIVERSITY CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNORS T0 MAGNETIC ORGAN ACTION COBIPANY, OF UNIVERSITY CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI MAGNETIC ACTION FOR PIPE ORGANS Application filed October 17, 1928. SerialNo. 312,986.

This invention relates generally to improvements in magnetic actions for pipe organs, and more specifically to an improved device of this type which is so constructed and arranged that the extent of the magnetic pull exerted by the device on a movable part of a pipe organ with which same is cooperatively associated, is greatly increased over the pull obtained in the use of magnetic actions of the type heretofore employed in pipe organs.

it Recently much experimentation has been carried on in connection with the production of magnetic actions for operating various movable parts of pipe organs such as valves, relays, stop keys, etc., but because of certain necessary requirements respecting the operation of these magnetic actions, the task of producing an ideal action of this type proved to be a rather difiicult one. An enumeration of the requirements referred to would include for instance, (a) that the current consumption of the electro-magnetic element of the action be low; (12), that the movement of the action be very rapid; and (c) that the stroke of the movable element of the action be of such extent, that when the action is employed for operating an air valve, said valve will be moved entirely away from the orifice which said valve is adapted to close, so that there will be no interference by said valve with the free passage of air through said orifice.

The improved magnetic action disclosed herein is so constructed and arranged that it answers all of the requirements referred to, and this is particularly true of the requirements relating to the extent of the stroke of the movable element of the action. In obtaining the required long stroke, advantage is taken of the construction of the device of the present invention which provides for a plurality of magnetic impulses being exerted successively against the movable element of the action, whereby several short strokes of said movable element are combined to produce one continuous stroke of considerable extent.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of our improved magnetic action showing same associated withan air valve of a pipe organ, portions of said pipe organ being shown in section.

F1gure2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the action in front elevation.

Figure 3 is a vertical section of another form of the invention.

Figure e is a view partly in side elevation and wherein is shown one application there.

of, A designates the Wind-chest of a pipe organ and B is the top Wall of said Wind-chest wh ch is provided with an opening 0. D des gnates a seat for an air organ pipe E, which seat includes a tubular extension that preferably extends slightly below the lower face of the top wall of'the wind-chest to provide a valve seat F. The toe portion of the organ pipe E is provided with an orifice G arranged 1n registration with the passageway through the tubular portion of the seat D, whereby air may pass into the pipe from the wind-chest to cause the pipe to speak.

Referring now to the invention, 1 design natestan ordinary single pole electro-mag whlch 1s provided with a stationary hollow portion of said core may, if desired, be slightly tapered, V as suggested in the drawing wherein this taper is exaggerated so that it may be apparent, in order to permit regulat on of the stroke of the armature of the act1on. 3 designates a support for the magnet 1, said support comprising a strip of magnetic material having a portion 4: at its lower end extended at an approximate right angle to the main or vertical portion of the support. The magnet 1 is secured to the portion a of the support 3 in any suitable manner. and the lower end portion of the core 2 ex tends through an aperture formed through sald portion 4 of said support. The core and the portion 4 of the support 3 are intimately connected together so that magnetism will pass from one to the other of said elements. At the upper end of the support 8 the strip of material comprising same is provided with a portion 5 which is arranged at an approximate right angle to the main or vertical portion of said support, and said portion 5 preferably extends in the opposite direction to that in which the portion 4' extends.

Arranged immediately above the upper end of the core 2 is the armature 6 of the improved action, the particular armature illustrated in the drawing being inverted cupshaped, and the opening within said annature being of such height and diameter that it will pass over the upper projected portion of the core 2' in telescoping relation therewith. As shown clearly in Figure 2', the lower edge of the ari'nature 6 in very close proximity to the top face of the core 2 but in spite of this fact, it is apparent that said armature is capable ofmoving a distance equal to the distance between the top face of the core 2 and the top wall of the opening within the armature when the armature is moved in telescoping relation with respect to the upper projected portion of the core. The armature 6 is provided with an annular, outwardly extended flange 8 formed thereon preferably, though not necessarily, at the upper edge thereof, and the utility of this flange will be subsequently pointed out herein.

9 designates a rod formed of brass or other non-magnetic material. The rod 9 is secured to the armature 6 by having its upper end portion driven into an opening formed in the armature as shown in Figure 2, and the lower end portion of the rod 9 is extended into the longitudinal opening formed through the core 2 to aid in guiding the armature during movement thereof. Extended upwardly from the armature 6 is a second rod 10, which is rigidly fixed to the armature by having its lower end driven into an opening formed in said armature. As shown clearly in Figure 2, therods 9 and 10 are alined with each other, and the ends thereof which are located within the openings formed in the armature abut against each other.

Mounted on the rod 10 at the upper end thereof is an air valve H, said air valve being adapted to be seated against the valve seat F to control the passage of air from the air chest A into the pipe E. The valve H may be of the usual construction common to air valves of pipe organs. p v

Extended outwardly from the support 3 is an arm 11, said arm being formed of suitable magnetic material and being rigidly fixed in any suitable manner to the vertical portion of said support. The connection between the arm 11 and the'support 8 is such that magnetism passes from one of said elements to the other thereof when the electromagnet 1 is energized. The arm 11 is provided adjacent to its outer end with an opening 12 through which the lower portion of the armature 6 passes, said opening being of such diameter that the armature may move longitudinally on its or axis through said opening when the electro-magnet 1 is energized or deenergized. Vhen the electro-magnet l is in a de-energized condition, the annular flange 8 on the armature is alined vertically with the outer portion of the arm 11 and said flange is spaced apart, in an upward direction, from said outer portion of said arm. 12 designates a washer of felt or other suitabl material, which acts as butter or silencer. said washer being arranged in contact with the arm 11 in such position that same will be struck by the flange 8 of the armature 6 when said armature isdrawn downwardly by the electro-magnetl, whereby noise which would otherwise result from contact of the flange 8 with the arm 11 is eliminated. I

13 designates a guide arm which is preferably, though not necessarily, fixed to the arm 11, said guide arm being provided with an opening formed thereth'rough at a point adjacent to its outer end through which opening the rod 10 extends. In view of this arrangement the guide arm 13 aids the hollow core 2 in guiding the vertical movement of the armature and the associated element which move therewith. 1 1 designates a coil spring which surrounds the rod 10 and is interposed between the arm 13 and the air valve H, said coil spring tending to force said air valve upwardly into close contact .114. SCiu with the valve seat F.

In the operation of the form of the invention shown in Flgures 1 and 2 of the drawing, energization of the electro-ma-gnet 1 caused by depression of the associated organ from the valve seat F, thus permitting air to pass from the wind-chest A into the pipe E, whereby said pipe will be caused to speak.

As already stated herein, it is essential that the movement of the movable elements of the action be quick and the stroke of ample extent so that the air valve H will be withdrawn quickly and entirely away from the valve seat F.v The rapidity of movement of the movable elements of our improved action and the proper extent of the stroke thereof are assured by the fact that said movable elements receive not a single impulse as is usually the case, but a pair of successively applied impulses which are applied so close together that what amount in effect to a single continuous stroke results.

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age-Bases On energization of the :electro-magnet 1, magnetism is directed by the core 2 against the armaturefi whereupon said armature will .be drawn downwardly in the :manner alreadyidescribed. The support 3 and the arm 11 aremagnetically-connected to the electromagnet and constitute the magnetic return therefor, and hence said parts will bemagnetized when the electro-magnet is energized. As the armature moves downwardly in responseto magnetism exertedthereuponby the core 2, the annular flange Son the armature will approachthe arm l'land the magnetism in said arm 11 will attract the iflange 8 when same moves in suflicient proximity thereto to permit such action,'whereupon the speed of movement of the armature will :be accelerated and the extentof thestroke of said armature will be increased. From the foregoing it is obvious that a double pull is applied to the movable elements of the action disclosed herein whereby itliespeed of movement and extent of the stroke of said movableelements are increased. v

In the form of the invention shown in F igure 3, 15 designates the coil of an electromagnet. The electro-magnet shown in Figure 3 is provided with an upper core 16 and a lower core 17, said upper core 16 being extendeda slight distancea'bove the top face of saidelectro-Inagnet while said lower core 17 is provided with a conical depression 18 in its top :face. Arranged'immediately above the upper core 1-6 "is an armature'19 which is constructed as is the armature 6 inFigures 1 and '2, save that the armature 19 is not provided with an annular flange such as that designated by the reference character 8 in the views referred to. In other words, the

. armature '19 of Figure 3 is inverted cupshaped and isadapted to move into telescoping relation with the upper core 16. 20 des ignates an auxiliary armature which is arranged immediately above the lower core 17, said auxiliary armature being provided with a lower portion shaped to fit into the depression 18 formed in the top face oat saidlower corell'. The armature 19 and the tuix-il-iary armature 20 are joined so that they willmove as a. unit 'by a bar 21 formed of suitable nonmagnetic material, said bar being movable through an opening formed through the upper core 16. y I

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figure '3 is the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2, that is to say the armature 19 will be attracted .by the upper core 16 thus moving said armature together with the auxiliary armature 20'downwardi'y.

As the auxiliary armature 20 approaches the lower core 17 said auxiliary armature will be attracted thereby thus giving {the movable unit of which the armatures :19 and 20 torm parts an added impulse whereby the speed of movement andithe.extentofi'theistroke oztsaid movable unit will be increased.

Int-he form of :the invention shown in Figure A, the action is (reversed so that instead of applying a :pulling action to the 1 element of the pipe organ being operated, .a pushing action is applied thereto. In this :form of the-invention, the rod :22 which is attached to the armature .23 and which corresponds to the .rod 9 shown in Figures land .7

ture is sufliciently close {to the amagnetized arm '27, whereupon, said :flange will be atitracted by said arm to apply an :additional impulse to the armature .and to the rod '22 movable therewith. V

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 55, a pair ofaelectroemagnets 27 and 28' are arranged in opposed relation with an armature 29 interposed between the cores :30 and 31 of said electroemagnets. The armature is providedwith a rpairof cup-shaped depressions which move into telescoping -relation with the cores 30 and 31 when the armature 29 is moved in one or the other direction by one orthe other electro-mag- -net. In Figure -5, 32 designates a support for-the electro-magnets 27 and-28,'and 33-and 3 L designate a pairof arms having openings through which the armature 29 passes, said arms serving the function of the arm 11 in Figures 1 and '2. The armature 29 is provided with an annular flange 35, which is located at its approximate longitudinal center and is interposed 'between the arms 33 and 36 designates an arm which is apirvoted at the point designated by the reder- :2

ience character 37 to :a non-magnetic block 39 forming apart of the support 332, said arm .36 having an organ stop key '38 fixed thereto at oneend thereof. The opposite endportion of the arm .36 is bifurcated, and

the outer ends of said bifurcated portion of said arm are pivotally attached to the an 'nular flange 35 of the armature '29.

In the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figure 5, energization of one or the other electro-magnetwill draw the a r mature toward :the energized electro-magnet land as the flange '35 of the armature approaches the arm 33 or '34 associated with the energiezd elect-roanagnet said flange will be attracted by said arm, whereby, an additional impulse will be given to the armature.

WVeclaim ""1. A device for actuating movable partsof pipe organs comprising an electro-mag-netic are elementprovided with a member adapted to be magnetized or energization of the electromagnetic element, an armature, and a second member adapted to be magnetized on energization of said electro-magnetic element, said armature being arranged to be influenced so that movement is imparted thereto first by one and then the other of said members when same are magnetized.

2. A device for actuating movable parts of pipe organs comprising an elect-ro-magnetic element provided with a member adapted to be energized by the electro-magnet on energization thereof. an armature, and a second r member adapted to be magnetized by said electro-magnetic element on energization thereof, said armature being arranged to be attracted first by one and then by the other of said memberswhen same are magnetized.

3. A device for actuating movable parts of pipe organs comprising an electro-magnetic element provided with a member adapted to be energized by the electro-magnetic element on energization thereof, an armature, and a second member adapted to be magnetized by said electro-magnetic element on energization thereof, said armature being arranged to be attracted by one of said members to impart movement thereto and during such movement passing into close proximity to the second member where it is attracted by said second member and additional movement imparted thereto.

4. A device for actuating movable parts of pipe organs comprising an electro-magnetic element provided with a core adapted to be magnetized on energization of said electromagnetic element, an armature, a support for said electro-magnetic element, an arm extended from said support, said support and said arm being magnetically connected with each other and said elements being magnetically connected to said electro-magnetic element, whereby said support and arm constitute the magnetic return of the electro-magnetic element and are therefore magnetized when the electro-magnetic element is energized, said armature being arranged to be attracted first by said core to impart movement thereto and then by said arm to impart additional movement thereto.

5. A device for actuating movable parts of pipe organs comprising an electro-magnetic element provided with a core adapted to be magnetized on energization of said electromagnetic element, an armature, a support for said electro-magnetic element, and an arm eX- tended from said support,said support and said arm being magnetically connected with each other and said elements being magnetically connected to said electro-magnetic element whereby said support and arm constitute the magnetic return of the electro-magnetic element and are, therefore, magnetized when the electro-magnet-ic element is energized, said armature being movable in an opening formed in said arm and being arranged to be attracted first by said core to impart movement thereto and then by said arm to impart additional movement thereto.

6. A device for actuating movable parts of pipe organs comprising an electro-magnetic element provided with a core adapted to be magnetized on energization of said electromagnetic element, an armature, having a flange formed thereon, a support for said electro-magnetic element, and an arm extended from said support, said support and said arm being magnetically connected with each other and said elements being magnetically connected to said electro-magnetic element whereby said support and arm constitute the magnetic return of the electro-magneticelement and are, therefore, magnetized when the electro-magnetic element is energized, said armature being movable in an opening formed in said arm and being arranged to be attracted first by said core to impart movementthereto and then said flange being attracted by said arm to impart additional movement thereto.

7 A device for actuating movable parts of pipe organs comprising an electro-magnetic element provided with a core adapted to be magnetized on energization of said electromagnetic element, an armature arranged for telescoping movement with respect to a portion of said core, a support for said electromagnetic element, and an arm extended from said support, said support and said arm being magnetically connected with each other and said elements being magnetically connected to said electro-magnetic element whereby said support and arm constitute the magnetic return of the electro-magnetic element and are, therefore. magnetized when the electro-magnetic element is energized, said armature be ing movable in an opening formed in said arm and being arranged to be attracted first by said core to impart movement thereto and then by said arm to impart additional movement thereto.

8. A valve action for pipe organs comprising an electro-magnetic element provided with a core adapted to be magnetized on energization of said electro-magnetic element, a support for said electro-magnetic element, an arm extended from said support, an armature movable through an opening formed through said arm and having a flange spaced apart from said arm, said support and said arm being magnetically connected with each other and said elements being magnetically connected to said electro-magnetic element. whereby,said support and said arm constitute the magnetic return of the electro-magnetic element and are, therefore, magnetized when the electro-magnetic element is energized, said armature on energization of the electro-magnetic element being attracted first by said core and then by said arm attracting said flange, a rod extended from said armature, a valve mounted on said rod, and a guide member for said rod.

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto set our hands.

HARRY F. WATERS. VERNIE ROY BROWN. 

